The 2026 General Election has seen prospective candidates debate a wide range of issues, from housing and immigration to the economy and public services.
Now, independent gig promoter Waves of Wonder has asked a number of candidates about how they see arts and culture fitting into the island’s future.
Founded by Cornelia Dahlgren, the organisation contacted 15 prospective candidates ahead of Thursday’s polling stations opening, asking three questions about the importance of arts and culture, practical support for the sector and how its wider social and economic impact should be measured.
Cornelia said: ‘One of the lovely things about living in a small island is that we have a real opportunity to speak directly to the people making decisions and to listen to one another.’
Six candidates responded by the initial deadline, with Waves of Wonder stressing that it does not endorse any candidate.
Among those responding, there was broad recognition of the role arts and culture can play in quality of life, community and the island’s appeal to residents and visitors.
Clare Barber, standing in Douglas East, described arts and culture as ‘critical’, linking them to the island’s UNESCO Biosphere status and sense of identity.
She highlighted the role of events, performances and communities in attracting people to the island, while suggesting a Biosphere fund and clearer, more accessible routes to funding.
Douglas Central candidate Peter Shimmin said arts and culture ‘enrich our quality of life and communities’ while supporting tourism, the visitor economy and creative industries.
He called for creative skills to be valued alongside academic, vocational and technical pathways, as well as better routes into creative careers and more accessible spaces for artists and organisations.
Sarah Maltby, standing in Douglas South, said arts and culture were ‘very important’ and highlighted social prescribing opportunities.
She also said more could be done to report on the outcomes of investment, pointing to her experience as former chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council and current trustee of the Manx Lottery Trust.
Mark Firth, standing in Arbory, Castletown and Malew, said arts and culture played a vital role in bringing communities together, supporting wellbeing and contributing to tourism.
As an independent promoter himself, he said he would like to see greater assistance and promotion of spaces capable of hosting arts and cultural activity.
Daphne Caine, Garff, described arts and culture as ‘important and fundamental’ to the island’s quality of life, while noting the range of funding organisations already in place.
Simon Williams, Rushen, said the importance of arts and culture could increase as artificial intelligence changes the amount of time people spend working.
He said the island should ‘embrace creativity and the arts’, while highlighting his own work supporting guest artists through his tattoo business.
Chris Thomas, Douglas Central, said arts and culture enriched people’s lives and contributed to the island’s identity, community and sense of place.
Candidates were also asked whether the island does enough to understand the wider impact of arts investment.
Several said more could be done, including better reporting and measuring economic activity, visitor spending, participation, education and wellbeing.
Other candidates contacted were Arwid Hall, Claire Christian, Hugo Yates, Jane Poole-Wilson, Juan Christian, Lawrie Hooper, Laurence Vaughan-Williams and Michelle Haywood.
Cornelia said she reached out to candidates who had previously shown an interest in arts and culture or engaged with the sector.